Page 88 of Claimed By a Ruthless Scot
“Fraser?” one of the elders repeated, brows drawing together. “What business daes he have writing tae ye now?”
Duncan did not hesitate. “He has withdrawn his support from MacKenzie,” he told them. “Or claims tae. He nay longer intends tae betroth his daughter to him.”
That stirred the room. Murmurs rose, sharp with interest now and with calculation.
“And?” another pressed. “What daes he want in return?”
Duncan’s jaw tightened slightly.
“An alliance,” he divulged. “Through marriage.”
The room stilled. For a fraction of a moment, no one spoke. Then, there seemed to be a collective understanding. The silence broke at once.
“This changes everything,” an elder said, leaning forward. “If Fraser stands with us instead of MacKenzie?—”
“MacKenzie loses half his strength,” another finished.
“And we gain it,” a third added, the urgency in his voice unmistakable now.
Duncan watched them, listening to their murmurs come together, because this was what they had always wanted: an advantage, a way to secure the clan without prolonged conflict.
“The lass is already here,” he pointed out. “Under me protection.”
“What??” exclaimed the oldest council member.
“The healer, Elaina, is Fraser’s daughter. She escaped when she found out she had been promised tae MacKenzie.”
The room filled with gasps and voices one on top of the other.
“Well,” another member agreed. “Then the arrangement is already halfway done.”
Duncan’s expression darkened slightly at that.
“This is the solution we need,” the elder continued. “An alliance with Fraser would strengthen our position immediately. MacKenzie would have tae reconsider any move against us.”
“Or face two clans instead of one,” someone added.
The energy in the room completely transformed from alarm to opportunity.
“This is nay longer a question,” one of them said. “It is the answer.”
Duncan’s gaze sharpened.
“It is an option,” he corrected.
The man faltered slightly but pressed on. “It is the strongest one we have.”
Murmurs of agreement followed.
“Ye have always done what is best fer the clan,” another said. “This would ensure its safety.”
Duncan exhaled slowly, his thoughts tightening. Strategically, they were right. He knew it. He had known it the moment he read the letter. But he had not known that Fraser’s daughter was Elaina. Now, it was no longer just strategy. And that complicated everything.
“I will nae make that decision without speaking tae her,” he told them.
The words cut through the room. H was well aware how unexpected and unconventional they were, because this was not how such matters were handled. Marriage, especially one bound to alliance and power, had never been a question of the woman’s will. It was a decision made by men for land, for strength and for survival. A daughter was given, not asked. Her consent was neither expected nor required, and certainly not weighed against the needs of a clan.
And yet, Duncan had spoken of it as though it were, as though her voice held equal weight, as though her choice mattered.
